Exhibiting together?

Dear Artists,

HIAA’s third meeting was about group exhibitions and several good points were made at the meeting. I’ll try to give you a summary here.

Exhibition space

We all agreed that the exhibition space should reflect the extraordinary nature of this association and thus be something else than an ordinary gallery. The cost issue is also always valid as traditional galleries tend to be expensive. There are some communal spaces which are near free or free to use, but have no sales opportunity.

Tiina told us about a coming exhibition which will take place in an old cotton factory and the space had been given them for free. Similar possibilities can very well exist in Helsinki too – do you know any?

An empty shop space in some mall or similar could also be an interesting place with a possibility to attract crowds that don’t usually go to art exhibitions and get visibility thanks to a busy location. This kind of exhibition would require all participants to be ready to exhibit when a place is available – so all should be planned ahead and works ready.

Exhibition organisation

Doing art exhibition without a gallery means all the work has to be done by the artists themselves – us. What are your preferences – pay a bit (or even a lot) more and let a gallerist do the job or pay little (or almost nothing) and work like a horse? ;-)

Exhibition theme

This subject raised interesting ideas. It was said the theme should reflect our internationality and different origins. Changes in the definition of "normal", both conserning the time perspective and the cultural perspective was suggested as a theme. It was also noted that the theme should be decided only after the exhibition space has been found, because the space will limit or at least give its own aspect to the nature of the exhibition.

In my personal opinion the theme should be strict enough to keep the show together, but vague enough to embrase different styles of expression present in our members’ works. Easier said than done!

Have a sunny and relaxing summer! I hope to see you all again in the autumn –
Our next meeting will take place on 6th August, at 17.00 at Kirjasto 10.

Best regards,
Susan